prefecture

noun

pre·​fec·​ture ˈprē-ˌfek-chər 

1

: the office or term of office of a prefect

2

: the official residence of a prefect

3

: the district governed by a prefect

prefectural

ˈprē-ˌfek-chə-rəl 

pri-ˈfek-

adjective

Examples of prefecture in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Japan Meteorological Agency issued heatstroke warning alerts for 41 prefectures. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026

Ballard, who was named on Sunday by the Japanese media, was arrested on Sunday after the woman's body was found early on Saturday in Naha, the capital city of the Okinawa prefecture. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

So when Ehime prefecture in the country’s southwest proudly unveiled the Beni Princess last year, orchardists saw opportunity. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

The design recalls an Akita prefecture tradition of weaving swan feathers into men’s kimono-style jackets. — Leslie Camhi, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prefecture

• prefecture apostolic

Rhymes for prefecture

• conjecture
• architecture
• lecture

Kids Definition

prefecture

noun

pre·​fec·​ture ˈprē-ˌfek-chər 

1

: the office or term of office of a prefect

2

: the district governed by a prefect

prefectural

prē-ˈfek-chə-rəl 

adjective